Lakers must prevent Jarred Vanderbilt from creating this headache at all costs
The best version of who Jarred Vanderbilt can be is great at a lot of things: perimeter defense, hustle, off-ball cutting, etc. That list does not include handling the basketball. The Los Angeles Lakers would be wise to minimize the necessity for those types of instances occurring.
That thought should be obvious to everyone. Jovan Buha even made it a focal point of his takeaways from the Lakers' preseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors. The mixed bag of what that experience brings is just not worth seeing too often on the court.
Buha said, "The playmaking really stood out with the four assists. ... Vando has that point forward ability. That does come with some limitations. He did have three turnovers and you want to be careful. There could be some good and the bad when he has the ball, right?"
The Lakers reporter went on to point out the glaring flaw with allowing Vanderbilt time on the ball. The issue described there was him being just as likely to dribble the ball off his foot, or into a crowd to get the ball stolen, as he would be to make a play with it. The assist-to-turnover ratio from the Warriors matchup really says it all.
Jarred Vanderbilt’s value diminishes quickly when asked to handle the ball
Vanderbilt's career has not suggested to this point that playmaking is something that should be regularly asked of the 26-year-old. The Lakers forward has averaged 1.4 assists per game versus 1.0 turnover per game over his seven years in the NBA. Los Angeles simply has way too many better options to turn to for on-ball duties.
Luka Doncic should be expected to lead the team in usage percentage and on-ball metrics throughout the entirety of the 2025-26 season. The Lakers superstar point guard is at his best when dictating the entire flow of the offense, and that is exactly what will be asked of him.
LeBron James is undoubtedly making the shift to add more off-ball tactics back to his repertoire to aid the fit next to his superstar teammate. Even so, James will be asked to play on the ball a ton as well this season.
The Lakers' three-star attack will also heavily feature Austin Reaves, who is one of the more underrated on-ball shot creators and playmakers in the NBA. Past those three, Gabe Vincent and Marcus Smart should also be expected to handle the ball a fair share.
The point is, there is no need for Vanderbilt to support a Lakers group already flooded with on-ball options by adding his own name into the mix. Continuing to show off his newly-rediscovered athleticism by diving to the rim and working on his 3-point stroke is what Los Angeles needs to see offensively from him.
49ers S Ji'Ayir Brown Addresses Role Change, Potential Trade
Over the course of his first two seasons in the NFL, Ji’Ayir Brown totaled 18 starts at safety. This year has brought about a shift in role and workload, however.
The 49ers have relied on free agent addition Jason Pinnock and fifth-round rookie Marques Sigle as starters at the safety spot so far. That has left Brown in the ‘big nickel’ role as a hybrid linebacker when on the field. That has proven to be a rare occurrence, though; Brown has logged just nine defensive snaps through two weeks. The demotion to a part-time role was one of the subjects of a recent conversation he had with Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
“It’s going to make sense one day,” Brown said when speaking about his position change (one which he views as only a temporary shift). “I’ve been around the game and I have a lot of respect from a lot of safeties around the game. That’s me saying my personal opinion that I’m top five in this league.”
Taken in the third round of the 2023 draft, Brown represented the 49ers’ top selection that year. The Penn State product emerged as a key figure in the secondary during his rookie season, one which included an interception in the team’s eventual Super Bowl loss. Brown logged a full campaign last year, but he played through an ankle injury for much of the season and saw a downturn in performance and PFF evaluation. Now healthy, he finds himself in a backup capacity.
Malik Mustapha is currently rehabbing the ACL tear he suffered during Week 18 last year. As expected, he has yet to be cleared for a return to action. Especially once that takes place, though, the 49ers will have a logjam in place at the safety position. Despite the fact Brown is attached to his rookie contract through 2026, the possibility of a departure via trade was raised as a result.
“I would definitely love to be here, career-wise, for the rest of my career,” Brown said. “But we all know this is a business. And I’m willing to adapt to whatever comes my way… I will be back at safety, eventually, whether it’s here or whether it’s wherever.”
No indications have emerged that a trade is being considered on the part of the 49ers, or that interest has been generated from potential suitors. Still, a move is something Brown would be open to based on his remarks. It will be interesting to see if a return to starting duties takes place or if his lessened workload continues through the remainder of the season.
